The climate of the subtropical zone occupies large spaces stretching between approximately 25 and 40 degrees of latitude in both hemispheres.
The belt is characterized by a seasonal change in air masses: in summer, the territory of the zone is occupied by tropical air, in winter - by moderate. Therefore, in the subtropical zone, two climatic regimes are observed - moderate and tropical. In the subtropical zone, the climate is not always the same. Several areas stand out. In the western parts of the continents - the Mediterranean region in Europe, California in North America, the northern part of Chile in South America, southwest Africa and Australia. The peculiarity of the climate is that in summer a high-pressure region moves here from the tropics, where tropical dry air is formed. The result is sunny, dry weather. In winter, air of temperate latitudes comes here, the front passes, on which cyclones form. Cloudiness and precipitation are associated with them. Winter is warm (average temperature of the coldest month is 8 ° С), wet (floods on rivers are associated with significant rainfall). This climate is called Mediterranean. A different climate regime is observed in areas of East Asia and southeastern North America. In summer, a humid tropical mass of air from the ocean (summer monsoon) arrives, bringing great cloud cover and rainfall. Winter monsoons bring continental dry air currents in temperate latitudes. The temperature of the coldest month is above 0 ° C, but significantly lower than in areas in the west of the continents. In the inner regions of Asia - in Eastern Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and North America - in the Great Basin dry air masses prevail throughout the year: in summer - tropical, in winter - continental air of moderate latitudes. The summer is sultry, arid, the winter is humid, short, sometimes there are frosts, snow falls, but a stable snow cover is not formed. The daily temperature amplitudes are large (up to 30 °), a large difference between the warmest and coldest months of the central regions of the continents are deserts.
The climate of the temperate zone is distributed between the subtropics and the tundra, approximately between 40 ° north and south latitude and the polar circles. In the Southern Hemisphere, an oceanic climate prevails. In the Northern Hemisphere, over vast expanses, the climate is quite different, it distinguishes three regions: western, central and eastern.
In Western Europe, in the west of North America, in Canada and also in the south of South America - in Chile the sea air of moderate latitudes prevails brought by westerly winds from the oceans. It contains a large amount of moisture and gives a lot of rainfall (500-1000 mm per year). Precipitation is distributed fairly evenly in all seasons. Due to the great influence of the oceans, the temperature course is smooth, the annual temperature amplitudes are small. Cooling is brought by arctic air masses, then the temperature in winter is below 0 ° C and heavy snowfalls are observed. Summer is long, cool, without sudden changes in weather. In the central regions of central Russia, in Ukraine, northern Kazakhstan, southern Canada, continental air of moderate latitudes is formed. In summer, an intensive transformation of air masses coming from the ocean and from the north occurs over the continents. The air heats up, is additionally moistened by moisture evaporating from the surface of the mainland. In winter, the air is cooled in anticyclones. The temperature may drop below -30 ° C. There is more precipitation in the summer, but prolonged air transformation can lead to drought, as it was in the summer of 1972 and 1999 (and of course, unforgettable summer of 2010 - approx. P. L.).
On the east coast of the continents - northeast of China, our Far
In North America, almost all types of climate known on Earth are observed. The regular change of temperature and circulation conditions from north to south determines the allocation of various climatic zones on the mainland.
The Arctic belt occupies the northern coast of the mainland and most of the Canadian Arctic archipelago. Cold and dry arctic air dominates here throughout the year. Therefore, even in summer, the air temperature, as a rule, does not rise above +5 ° С. In winter, frosts reach -40 ° C, and in Greenland -70 ° C. Precipitation here is low and mainly in solid form. Low temperatures contribute to the formation of stable snow cover and glaciation.
The subarctic belt is located south of the Arctic (up to 58-60 ° N). In summer, the climate of the territory is formed by moderate air masses. The air temperature in the warm period averages + 10 ° С. In winter, when the arctic air dominates, in the central part of the belt it is even colder than in the Arctic belt. This phenomenon is explained by the remoteness of the territory from the ocean. There is more rainfall in the western part of the belt than in the eastern one.
Most of the mainland lies in the temperate zone. A significant stretch of the belt from north to south (more than 2000 km) determined large differences in surface heating. Within the belt, the amount of precipitation also changes significantly. The difference in moisture allowed three climatic regions to be distinguished here: marine, temperate continental, and continental types of climate.
An area of \u200b\u200bmarine-type climate spans the Pacific coast and the western slopes of the Cordillera. The temperature here changes little during the year. Relatively warm winters and non-hot summers are accompanied by heavy rains. 2000-3000 mm of precipitation falls annually.
For the region of the continental type of climate occupying the central part of the belt, on the contrary, seasonal differences are characteristic. Truly warm summers (with temperatures from +18 ° C in the north to +24 ° C in the south) are replaced by cold winters (with frosts from -20 ° C in the north to -6 ° C in the south). Precipitation is much less than on the Pacific coast - 400-600 mm per year.
The region of the temperate continental type of climate is located in the eastern part of the temperate zone. Although winter is cold here, summer is not so hot. In comparison with the region of the continental climate, the amount of precipitation also increases - on average up to 1000 mm.
In the subtropical zone lies the southern part of the mainland, where winter is just the cool season: temperature is rarely below 0 ° C, and snow is a rare occurrence. In winter, polar front cyclones dominate here, bearing humid, moderate air masses. In summer, they give way to dry tropical air masses. The precipitation regime and the amount of precipitation are associated with the allocation of three climatic regions in the subtropical zone: Mediterranean, subtropical continental and subtropical monsoon types of climate.
The tropical belt occupies a small narrow part of the continent, lying between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. Hot tropical air dominates here throughout the year. It is thanks to him that the climate of the belt is figuratively called the "climate of eternal summer", since it is difficult to distinguish warm and cold seasons here. However, humidification conditions within the belt are different. In this regard, two climatic regions are distinguished. The Mexican Highlands and California Peninsula are in a desert tropical climate. There is very little rainfall. This is due to two reasons: the high pressure area in the north of the Pacific Ocean and the cold California current. The east coast of the Gulf of Mexico and the islands of the West Indies lie in an area of \u200b\u200bwet climate type. This is due to the year-round dominance of the wet southeast trade winds.
The tropical latitudes of North America in the summer and autumn are exposed to the most powerful tropical cyclones - hurricanes. A gale of wind with a speed of more than 100 m / s drives the shower wall and heaves fifteen-meter waves. The energy released by one hurricane could be enough for a country like the United States for 600 years. It is not surprising that tropical cyclones are a constant scourge of coasts and islands. Nowadays, the weather service already accurately predicts hurricanes, but at times they nevertheless produce catastrophic destruction.
The subequatorial belt covers the extreme southern, narrowest part of the continent. High temperature (above +25 ° C) is maintained throughout the year and almost does not experience seasonal fluctuations. Precipitation occurs mainly in summer, when moist equatorial air masses enter here.
Findings:
North America is located in all but the equatorial climate zones.
In the temperate, subtropical and tropical zones, due to the different amount and mode of precipitation, climatic regions are distinguished.
AT North America almost all known on Earth are observed types of climate, the regular change of which from north to south caused the allocation of different climatic zones on the mainland (Fig. 152). Climate changes occurring from west to east within the same climate zone have led to the separation of climatic regions.
The extreme northern coast and most of the Canadian Arctic archipelago is characteristic arctic type of climate.Here, cold and dry arctic air masses dominate throughout the year. Therefore, even in summer, the air temperature usually does not rise above +5 ° C. In winter, frosts reach -40 ° C, and in Greenland, which is one of the poles of the cold of the Northern Hemisphere, up to -70 ° C. There is little rainfall here. However, the prevalence of low temperatures contributes to the formation of prolonged snow cover and glaciation.
Subarctic belt located south of the arctic. Dominates here subarctic type of climate, which is characterized by significant seasonal temperature fluctuations. This is due to the arrival of various air masses here.
Inherent temperate zone moderate climate significantly modified in the direction from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. Therefore, four climatic regions are distinguished within the belt: marine, temperate continental, continental, and monsoon types of climate.
Region marine climate covers the coast of the Pacific Ocean and the western slopes of the Cordillera. The temperature and rainfall here do not change much throughout the year. Warm winters and non-hot summers are accompanied by heavy rains (2000-3000 mm per year).
Region temperate continental climate located east. Winter is cold and summer is warm. Compared to the region of the continental climate, the amount of precipitation increases - on average, about 1000 mm falls annually.
For the area continental climate occupying the central part of the belt, significant seasonal differences are characteristic. Cold winters - from -20 ° C in the north to -6 ° C in the south - give way to truly warm, sometimes hot summers - from +18 ° C in the north to +24 ° C in the south. Precipitation here is about 300-600 mm per year.
Region monsoon climate in the extreme east of the belt it is influenced by the cold Labrador currents, so winter is much colder here than in the extreme west. In the north of the region, the temperature drops to -20 ° С. Summer is not hot and rainy due to summer monsoons. The annual amount of precipitation with progress towards the Atlantic increases and ranges from 500 to 1000 mm. Thick and prolonged fogs are characteristic.
AT subtropical zone The southern part of the mainland is located, where humid moderate air masses prevail in winter. Therefore, the temperature here is constantly kept above 0 ° C, and snow is a rare occurrence (Fig. 153). In summer, tropical air masses come here. The precipitation regime is also associated with the movement of air masses. Three climatic regions stand out here: mediterranean, continental and humid subtropical climate types.
Hurricane Katrina. In the summer of 2005, Hurricane Katrina swept over the southern US states. A frantic wind at a speed of 284 km / h lifted waves 9 meters high. They broke through the dam protecting the city of New Orleans, located below sea level. About 80% of the city was flooded with sea water. Material from the site
Tropical belt covers a small narrow part of the continent between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, as well as the Florida Peninsula. Hot tropical air prevails here throughout the year, which is why the climate is called "the climate of eternal summer." However area tropical desert climate covering the Mexican Highlands and the California Peninsula, there is little rainfall throughout the year. A region humid tropical type of climate Gulf Coast and Islands Central Americaon the contrary, it receives heavy rainfall year-round. This is due to the prevailing winds in tropical latitudes.
Subequatorial belt - the extreme southern part of the continent where prevails subequatorial type of climate. High temperature (above +25 ° С) is kept here throughout the year and almost does not experience seasonal fluctuations. Precipitation occurs mainly in the summer, when moist equatorial air masses arrive.
- North America located in all climatic zones Northern hemisphere, except for the equatorial.
- In the Arctic, subarctic and subequatorial climatic zones, one type of climate prevails.
- In the temperate, subtropical and tropical climatic zones, several types of climate are distinguished.
On this page, material on the topics:
North America region of the Mediterranean climate
Sev america climate test
North America's marine climate area prevailing air masses
Climate of north america briefly
-
There are two subtropical climate zones on Earth. In summer, an area of \u200b\u200bhigh pressure from the tropics spreads here, and in winter, cyclones of temperate latitudes, bearing precipitation, invade. In the western parts of the continents, a Mediterranean climate is formed. In addition to the Mediterranean, it is distributed on the southern coast of Crimea, in Western California, in Middle Chile, on the southwestern tip of Africa, in southwestern Australia. Summer is hot, cloudy, without precipitation; winters are cool, windy and rainy. The annual precipitation is usually 400 - 600 mm, which creates semi-arid conditions. Temperatures in summer are +20 - +25 C, in winter +5 - +10 C. The climate is extremely favorable for human life. It was in this fertile climate that many ancient civilizations were born (Mesopotamia, Palestine, Greece, Harappa civilization in the Indus Valley, etc.), and now there are favorite summer resorts. Valuable subtropical crops are grown here - citrus fruits, grapes, olives, etc.
Inside the continents, in subtropical latitudes, there is little rainfall in winter. The climate of dry subtropics dominates here. Summer is very hot, average monthly temperatures reach +30 C and more individual days in Turkmenistan they reach +50 C. In winter, due to cyclones, the weather is unstable. Frosts up to -20 C are possible, rains or snow fall, but the snow cover is unstable and quickly melts. The annual amount of precipitation is about 600 mm, but in some areas there is only 120 mm or less. Vegetation characteristic of dry steppes, semi-deserts and deserts. They cover the Iranian Highlands, Turkmenistan, Bukhara, Rajasthan (in India), lowland Afghanistan, the Tarim Basin (Xinjiang) in Asia; Large pool in North America, pampas in South America, South Australia.
In the high mountains of Asia (Pamir, Tibet), a climate of cold deserts is formed. Winters are very cold (up to -50 C; in Murgab, for example, average January temperatures are around -20 C), summers are cool (+14 C in July), little rainfall (about 80 - 100 mm), snow cover is unstable due to evaporation Strong winds are possible. It was a difficult section for caravans on the Silk Road Roller. And today the Pamir highway is one of the hardest routes in the world.
The eastern parts of the continents (southern Japan, eastern China, southeastern United States and Australia, northern New Zealand, the countries of the Parana river basin in South America) are distinguished by a monsoon subtropical climate. Summer is warmer (+25 C) than in the west, and, most importantly, much more cloudy and humid due to summer winds from the ocean. On the contrary, winter is drier due to winds from the continent. In many places, rainfall is more than 800 mm. Abundant rainfall in the summer makes it possible to develop lush vegetation. Agriculture has been developed on these fertile soils, supporting the lives of more than a billion people.